What is the technical term for ringworm?

The technical term for ringworm is commonly known as "tinea corporis." This term specifically refers to a fungal infection that affects the skin, often appearing as a ring-shaped rash. Tinea is a Latin word meaning "worm," which is misleading since the infection is caused by a fungus, not an actual worm.

While onychomycosis refers to a fungal infection of the nails, and dermatophyte infection describes a broader category of fungal infections caused by dermatophytes, they do not accurately represent ringworm itself. Tinea unguin is not a recognized term, and its inclusion here may create confusion since it sounds like it refers to nails (from "ungu"), which is not related to the classic presentation of ringworm on the skin.

Thus, understanding that tinea corporis designates ringworm helps to clarify the specific nature of the infection and its symptoms, ensuring accurate communication in a clinical or educational setting.